Horley councillor's hopes to beat sky diving world record

The 80-year-old, who became Reigate and Banstead borough mayor last week, already holds the record as the oldest person to sky dive from 30,000ft. On August 24 he aims to break that while also becoming the oldest person to sky dive from 30,000ft at night and become the first mayor to do it.

He said: “I first did it to commemorate the start of World War One and the 70th anniversary of my father being killed in action in World War Two.

“You fall at 300 miles an hour and for over two minutes your are shaken violently. “It’s -40 degrees, maybe even colder. I will have lights all over my body

I said I would first raise £3,000, but I’ve almost raised that so I’m going for £10,000. I am funding the whole thing myself so every penny goes to the Royal British Legion.”

To sponsor him go to www.justgiving.com/david-percy-powell